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THE WYE VALLEY WALK

Using the O.S. Recreational Path Guide by Anthony Burton, Aurum Press we followed the 111 mile Wye Valley Walk from Rhayader in Mid Wales following the river Wye to Chepstow in South Wales. We did this in small chunks between September 1998 and May 1999 and would recomend it thoroughly. Much nicer than the Cotswold Way.

RHAYADER TO G.R.054476 18miles

Alastairs brother, Andrew, dropped us in Rhayader on the friday night at a large camp site near the river. We just managed to get the tent set up when it poured down with rain, so of course we just had to find a pub to spend the evening in. The "Lamb and Flag" allowed us to take the dogs inside.
Woke to a lovely morning, packed up early, got supplies at a local shop and we were on our way. Climbed first up and away from the river then back to meet it before climbing up away again all the time getting splendid views for miles. This is a very beautiful area.
Finally came to meet the Wye again for several miles, where Alastair rescued two sheep from the river. At Builth Wells there is plenty of facilities and we stopped to have a meal.
Left Builth by the Newry road after climbing up and over an old Motte and Baily mound. More climbing to be done before reaching some open moorland where we decided to pitch the tent.

G.R.054476 TO HAY ON WYE 16 miles

Another bright start. There was mist lying down in the valley below, a sign of a good day to come. Very easy walking today, mostly flat. Lots of bridleway and lane before crossing the river at Erwood Station on the dismantled line. We were too early for the cafe to open so we ate our own breakfast and brewed up coffee. Crossed the river again on the narrow Llanstephan bridge after a long quiet road trudge.
Crossed the Wye yet again at Boughrood Bridge where a kind pub landlady filled our water bottles. She offered us a drink but it was only 10.00am so we declined. She and a couple of locals (looking the worse for wear) were cleaning up after the previous days Young Farmers event.
Made Glasbury for a fabulous Sunday lunch at a very busy pub, a raft race was going on nearby. Got to Hay on Wye, a small town famous for it's second hand bookshops. Here Andrew and his family met us to give us a lift home

HAY ON WYE TO BYFORD 14miles

Dropped the bike off in the churchyard at Byford and drove to Hay on Wye parking in the Supermarket carpark on the B4350. This was a misty murky Autumn day so on reaching Merbach hill we didn't get any views. Stopped off at the pub in Bredwardine for a meal. Poured with rain during the afternoon. Mornington walk was a lovely broad "ride" and one horse rider was out exercising. Passed through orchards of old fashioned cider apple trees with wierd sounding names. I sat in Byford church porch to wait while Alastair cycled back for the camper.
Left the bike in the churchyard again and drove to Hampton Bishop where we slept overnight in the VW Camper at G.R.559384.

HAMPTON BISHOP TO BYFORD 13 miles

Cooked up bacon butties from the back of the camper before setting off. Better weather but still cloudy. Interesting walk through Hereford by the riverside. Hereford is a great place for shopping, our favourite, and once we had to wade into town through an overflowing river during bad weather, but thats another story!
We were too early for lunch on arriving at Sugwas Pool near Swainshill on the A438 so we sat on a bench outside the "Kites Nest" pub there to wait. The landlord came out to see what we were up to and Alastair recognised him as David the ex landlord from the "Green Dragon" in Monmouth. He invited us in to wait, made us coffee and when officially open we had an excellent Sunday lunch.
Followed the old Roman road through Bishopstone to Byford then Alastair again cycled back for the camper.

HAMPTON BISHOP TO ROSS ON WYE 13 miles

Chained the bike outside the swimming pool in Ross and drove to Hampton Bishop to park up at G.R.559384. Lovely walking past Fownhope then up to Capler Camp an iron age hill fort. Sat on a wall at Howe Caple to eat our sandwiches, there was no convenient pub lunch today. Some horses and hounds passed us while we sat there. I burnt my finger and thumb badly while brewing coffee on the Triangia and spent all afternoon dipping them in every puddle available to stop the pain and blistering. Beautiful route following the river through Hole in the Wall and on to Ross. I cycled back for the car this time.

ROSS ON WYE TO MONMOUTH 17 miles
We'd left a bike at Alastairs brothers house in Monmouth the day before so we just drove straight to Ross and parked the car in the car park off the B4260 near the river. Early spring morning, cloudy to start but turned into a lovely sunny day. Climbed past yet another hill fort in Chase wood this time and dropped back to the river at Kerne Bridge, crossing here with easy walking along the river to Symonds Yat. Passed a group of walkers leading a group of blind walkers. Had lunch at the cafe next door to the "Saracens Head" pub. More easy walking crossing the river at the Biblins steel bridge then after the woods, fields all the way into Monmouth.

CHEPSTOW TO MONMOUTH 17 miles

Left the bike with Alastairs parents just outside Monmouth on the Kymin the day before and drove to Chepstow leaving the car in the Castle car park. Bluebells were in flower all through the Piercefield woods and Wynd Cliff where there are fabulous views.
Came down into Tintern and just beyond where the path goes close to the river we were unlucky to find the highest tide of the year coming up and had to wade knee deep to get through. Stopped at Tintern Station picnic site to wring out the water.
Left the river again at Brockweir to climb high through Botany Bay, Bargain wood and Cuckoo wood. Took a detour at G.R.527052 to head for the Narth and the "Trekkers" (Sadly now closed) where we got an excellent Sunday lunch. Rejoined the Wye Valley walk at Whitebrook Farm then it was an easy flat walk to Monmouth passing through Redbrook where the "Boat Inn" is worth a visit.
I cycled back for the car and that was the end of the Wye Valley Walk.